When struggle becomes strength: The psychology of grit, flourishing, and well-being as mediators of motivational intensity in STEM students.
Althubyani, A.
In plain language
This study explores the role of grit and flourishing in motivating STEM students in Saudi Arabia, a context where education is closely tied to national development goals. Using a combination of surveys and interviews, the research identifies how perseverance and consistency, two dimensions of grit, influence students' motivation differently. Flourishing, or the experience of well-being and positive emotions, emerges as a significant mediator in this process, suggesting that students who feel they are thriving are more likely to sustain their efforts in challenging fields.
Interestingly, the study finds that even negative emotions can enhance motivation, provided they are interpreted within a cultural framework that values patience and collective purpose. This nuanced understanding of motivation highlights how cultural values and personal well-being interact to support educational persistence.
Key findings
- Flourishing is a strong mediator between grit and motivational intensity in STEM students.
- Perseverance influences motivation primarily through indirect pathways, mediated by flourishing and positive emotions.
- Negative emotions can also enhance motivational intensity when framed as meaningful challenges.
- Consistency in grit has a direct effect on motivation, suggesting a different psychological mechanism.
- Cultural constructs like Islamic sabr and collectivist obligations shape how emotions impact motivation.
Why it matters for flourishing
This research underscores the importance of well-being and cultural context in sustaining motivation, particularly in the demanding field of STEM education. Understanding these dynamics can help educators and policymakers foster environments where students thrive.
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Readers can apply these insights by fostering environments that support both emotional well-being and cultural values. Encouraging students to see challenges as meaningful can enhance motivation and perseverance, especially in educational settings.
How this research touches wellbeing
Which of Seligman's five PERMA pillars this finding speaks to.
- Positive Emotion
- 7
- Engagement
- 8
- Relationships
- 6
- Meaning
- 9
- Accomplishment
- 8